About me

Welcome to Samsaraa Massage Therapy and Ayurveda a lifestyle blog that shares my passion for health, travel, food and Ayurveda. Though I am a licensed massage therapist and Ayurvedic bodyworker in Boston, MA, the information posted here is not intended to substitute the advice of a medical professional. Thank you for visiting and feel free to ask any questions or to just say hello!

Do you suffer from abdominal bloating? Do you have a weak digestion? If your like me who suffers from Celiac and IBS, it is not fun not knowing what your going to eat and how it will affect your well being. I have a really hard time finding food that is comforting and nourishing without giving me GI distress! Prior to going to India I was advised to consider making Kitchari. Kitchari is considered one of the most balancing healing foods. It is easy to digest, nourishing, and light according to Ayurveda. The key ingredients are mung beans and rice. The split yellow mung beans are the one type of beans or lentils that will not produce gas. In India, Kitchari is often the first food for babies, not only because it is so easy to digest, it also heals and soothes the intestinal wall.

So what do you consider weak digestion? If your digestion is weak, Ayurveda has a few great tips and recipes that can help strengthen it. The key principle of strengthening digestion is letting it rest from hard to digest foods and helping the cleansing or restoration process with natural herbs or food. So what does weak digestion look like?

Signs of Indigestion:

1. Protruding lower belly like a Buddha Belly2. Temperature of stomach is warm compared to other parts of the body3. Tongue- bitter taste, dried saliva.4. Puffiness under your eyes (after normal sleep) are signs of Ama (toxins) in the body5. Stool- Should not have foul smell, should float in the water and not sink, mucous in stool and lack of bowel movements or excess movements indicate a weak digestion system.

Our body has an incredible healing capacity. We just need to create a favourable environment for the healing to take place. Whether you make a classic kitchari or a favorite hearty lentil soup, you will get the necessary dose of protein, fiber and fat to sustain you throughout the day. It's simple to make, easy to store and quite tasty! Here is a simple recipe adapted from Usha Lad and Vashant Lad's Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing (Albuquerque: The Ayurvedic Press, 1997). If you google Kitchari, you will get an abundance of variations. Pick one and give it a try for a few days- I promise your belly will thank you:)

1. Rinse the rice and mung beans until the water is clear.2. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the ghee and add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Stir a moment until the seeds pop.3. Add the rice, mung beans, turmeric, and salt, and stir until well blended with the spices.4. Add the water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.5. Turn down the heat to low and cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Cook until tender, about 20-25 minutes.